NCJ Number
43607
Journal
CIVIL RIGHTS DIGEST Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: (SUMMER 1977) Pages: 2-11
Date Published
1977
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE STATUS OF EFFORTS TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM OF WIFE-BEATING IN NEW YORK STATE AND ELSEWHERE IS ASSESSED.
Abstract
STATISTICS FROM A 1969 GOVERNMENT REPORT SHOW THAT WOMEN WHO COMMIT MURDER ARE MOTIVATED BY SELF-DEFENSE SEVEN TIMES AS OFTEN AS MEN. OF ALL FEMALE MURDER VICTIMS, APPROXIMATELY ONE-FOURTH ARE KILLED BY THEIR HUSBANDS. ONLY ONE-TWELFTH OF ALL MALE MURDER VICTIMS ARE KILLED BY THEIR WIVES. WHEREAS ASSAULT AND BATTERY IS A READILY PUNISHED CRIME WHEN IT INVOLVES STRANGERS, IT IS NOT SO READILY PUNISHED WHEN IT INVOLVES MARRIED COUPLES. EXPERTS CITE HISTORICAL, ECONOMIC, PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, LEGAL, AND LEGISLATIVE REASONS FOR THIS DISCREPANCY. OFTEN FEAR PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE BATTERED WIFE SYNDROME, WITH WOMEN ATTEMPTING TO PLACATE THEIR HUSBANDS IN ORDER TO AVOID VIOLENCE. BATTERED WOMEN WHO HAVE COME FORTH AGREE THAT THERE IS NO WAY OF AVOIDING VIOLENCE THROUGH PLACATORY BEHAVIOR, BECAUSE THE FACTORS THAT TRIGGER VIOLENCE ARE TOO DIVERSE AND UNPREDICTABLE. THE ACTIVITIES OF AN ATTORNEY WITH THE BROOKLYN LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING HER EFFORTS IN CLIENT ADVOCACY, PUBLICITY, AND LEGISLATIVE REFORM. SHE IS INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT BROUGHT ON BEHALF OF BATTERED WIVES AGAINST THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR REFUSING TO ARREST ABUSIVE HUSBANDS AND AGAINST FAMILY COURT OFFICERS FOR DENYING THE WOMEN ACCESS TO JUDGES. THE ATTORNEY IS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE MOVEMENT TO CREATE SHELTERS FOR ABUSED WOMEN. DIFFERENCES OF OPINION CONCERNING THE KIND OF LEGISLATION THAT IS NEEDED TO PROTECT BATTERED WOMEN ARE NOTED, AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE RAISED BY THE SHELTER MOVEMENT IS EXAMINED. THE NEED FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO LIVE UP TO ITS MORAL AND LEGAL OBLIGATION TO HELP BATTERED WIVES IS CITED.